Kind of an emergency....

I have a potential customer that has called and said the she had a (roughly) 25 foot crab apple tree that fell over in her front yard, root ball and all.

Can someone tell me how you would go about bidding something like that?

It needs cut up and hauled away. I have a 6x6 bed pick up and need to figure out not what to charge, but how to go about charging. Theres a lot of branch structure so Im guessing 3-4 loads and will be hauling roughly 14 miles, one-way, to a dump site. I need to figure what I should rent my vehicle for, should I include the dump fees? I also want to charge $40 a man hour. Kind of hard pressed for time as I told her I would let her know in 2 hours, but dont want to rush anyone. Thanks in advance.

Your sig says you have a 16ft tandom trailer also. Can you use that also so you can do it in one trip? You cant charge extra because you dont have the equipment to haul it away in one trip. A tree service would have a large truck that would only use one trip, and they would only charge for the time they are actually on site. You may want to call a local tree service, get an estimate for thier price, and use that.

You should be albe to completely limb it in 15 min, and cut the trunk up in another 15-20 depending on size. The root ball will be your biggest problem, there may still be roots attaching it to the ground. Gotta a skid steer?

Other then any problems you may have with the roots, I would think around 1.5-2 hours to cut and load it up, if you can get it in one load. I think your looking at about $250-$290 on that job, but not completely sure.

Your sig says you have a 16ft tandom trailer also. Can you use that also so you can do it in one trip? You cant charge extra because you dont have the equipment to haul it away in one trip. A tree service would have a large truck that would only use one trip, and they would only charge for the time they are actually on site. You may want to call a local tree service, get an estimate for thier price, and use that.

You should be albe to completely limb it in 15 min, and cut the trunk up in another 15-20 depending on size. The root ball will be your biggest problem, there may still be roots attaching it to the ground. Gotta a skid steer?

Other then any problems you may have with the roots, I would think around 1.5-2 hours to cut and load it up, if you can get it in one load. I think your looking at about $250-$290 on that job, but not completely sure.[/QUO

Thats what I came up with, 2 hours max unless the dump is far away. Charge 6 hours or just bid it in the 250$ range. Regular route plus 250$ your having a good Day.

She called before I could get anything uploaded and I told her $350 off the top of my head and she said OK! My buddy said that I can dump in his yard for bon fire which is right down the street so I made out. I dont see it as being there more than 4 hours, including dump time.

about my trailer...its ordered, paid for and is being constructed. so I dont have it, but we had high winds all night long and she called bright and early, thats why i was in such a hurry, being that this is my first customer and being excited and what not.

Thanks for the replies and cristicisms. They are very much needed as I strive to create such a professionalism that customers look for.